To pick or prune? And how do prunes ‘work’ so well?

Today’s question:

We have a fruit tree with limbs that extend into our neighbors’ yard.

They are certainly welcome to the fruit on those limbs, but they have yet to pull them off and I need to prune the tree. They are snowbirds and not around, and while I don’t have any intent to go into their backyard, is it “trespassing” if I used a fruit picker and leaned over the wall to retrieve the fruit? Gee, I don’t know. That’s a tricky one. Technically, the stuff on their side of the fence belongs to them, even if it’s your tree.

I’m sure the neighbors wouldn’t mind, but why not just leave the fruit be and let it eventually fall off on its own accord? It’s not going to hurt the rest of the tree or next year’s crop. What is the ingredient in prune juice that makes it work so effectively so quickly?

There is a lot to be said for prunes and prune juice. Not only do they keep you regular, they have a lot of iron and potassium, which prevent anemia and promote healthy blood pressure, but also boron, which can help prevent osteoporosis.

The biggest and best-known benefit comes from their high content of both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber is especially useful for keeping your plumbing in good order because it triggers peristalsis.

Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that keeps stuff moving in your digestive tract.

Prunes and prune juice also contain a lot of sorbitol, which is a sugar that produces what is called an “osmotic force” in your large intestine. Without going into all the details, that keeps things moving along.

Last but not least, prunes have a fair amount of diphenyl isatin, which gently stimulates movements of the bowels.